Friends team up for XTERRA Grabouw

Francois Groenewald by Tobias Ginsberg

Taking place at the Elgin Grabouw Country Club on Saturday, 23 and Sunday, 24 February 2019, XTERRA South Africa has an exciting “team category” that allows swimmers, mountain bikers and trail runners to team up and experience the action of the largest XTERRA in the world.

XTERRA Grabouw has become an annual event for friends Tommie Kruger (Grabouw), Ryal de Waal (Stellenbosch) and Francois Groenewald (Grabouw) with each person completing one leg of this premium off-road triathlon.

Kruger (59) will start the race with the 1.5km swim.  “I started swimming in high school when I joined the swimming squad at Paarl Boys High,” says Kruger.  “I am not much of a cyclist or a runner.  By entering as part of a team I can be part of XTERRA while doing something that I like.  I love the absolute madness at the start of the swim.  We once came second in the men’s team category and we’d like to improve on this.  Personally, I’d like to improve my time for the swim.  I will also take part in the Sanlam Cape Mile which will be held at the same venue the weekend before XTERRA.  It’s an awesome event that is definitely good practice for XTERRA.”

Kruger boasts an impressive track record including:  2^nd in SA Champs 3km Open Water 50 years and older in 2013, 1^st in SA Champs 3km Open Water 50 years and older in 2015 and 2^nd in SA Champs 3km Open Water 50 years and older in 2016.

Tommie Kruger by Tobias Ginsberg

Kruger will hand the baton over to Ryal de Waal (53) who will take on the +-25.6km MTB discipline.  “I got to know Tommie when I started spearfishing off of his boat,” says de Waal.  “I knew that he was a good swimmer and suggested that we should enter XTERRA as a team.  He said that he knew someone in Grabouw who was a good runner.  The rest is history.  I like XTERRA because I enjoy the “off-road” stuff.   XTERRA’s MTB course is always challenging and because of the “shorter” distance, it is always flat box from the start which makes it a hard, but rewarding ride. The single tracks in Grabouw are always in good shape and great fun.  Our goal will be to finish Top 10 overall and podium in the team category.  My personal goal will be to try and set up a good position for the team when Francois starts the run.  I know he can only improve our position as he is always one of the fastest runners on the day.”

Ryal de Waal by Jetline Action Photo

Francois Groenewald (32) will take on the final leg of XTERRA which is a +-12.4km trail run.  “No one should miss out on a world class event, especially if it is in your home town,” says Groenewald.  “XTERRA’s trail run course is tough but rewarding.  When aiming to run 4 minute kilometers the terrain awakens in front of you full of quick turns, sharp climbs, and soft sand.  Entering as part of a team definitely adds excitement to the race, while sharing the experience with friends just makes it extra special.  Our team’s combined age speaks for itself in experience.  Tommie is an exceptionally strong swimmer, while Ryal just does not know how to give up.  My goal will be to run the fastest time on the day.”

EVENT INFORMATION:   XTERRA Grabouw (Elgin-Grabouw Country Club, Western Cape)

A premier off-road triathlon, XTERRA Grabouw kicks off the 2019 XTERRA racing season.  Adventure seekers (and their families) can look forward to a weekend of action-packed racing that will entertain the entire family.

All XTERRA Lite and Full entries will receive an official event t-shirt.